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Black Bermudian woman makes history in UK

A Bermudian woman has reached a milestone in being appointed the first black woman to sit as a circuit judge in England and Wales.

Patricia Dangor -- the daughter of the late Sir Edward Trenton Richards the Island's first Premier and second Government leader -- was sworn in last week by the Lord Chancellor of London in the House of Lords to sit permanently at Isleworth Crown Court.

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor's office said Mrs. Dangor, 56, is the first black female at that level of the bench in England and Wales.

There are other black and female district judges and recorders. Mrs. Dangor was promoted from a recorder's position which she has held since 1996.

Throughout her legal career -- which began in 1970 -- she has returned to Bermuda to practice law and in recent years has acted on occasion as a Puisne Judge in the Supreme Court.

It was reported by the National News agency Judge Dangor would continue to sit on the Bermuda bench as needed.

She was introduced to the court by Jonathan Goldberg, QC, who wished her a "long and happy'' judicial career, and said he hoped she would bring "some of that Bermudan (sic) sunshine to the court''.

The Bar of England and Wales has been criticised for being slow to promote both women and people from the UK's ethnic minorities, the National News said.

JUDGES LAWYERS LEG